E1M8: Profanum Sanctum (Realm of Parthoris)

E1M8: Profanum Sanctum is the eighth and final map of Realm of Parthoris. It was designed by 19Wraith and uses the music track "Crystal Embers," by Varis Alpha.

Essentials
As the level starts, head straight forward past a sabreclaw into a passage with an Ethereal Crossbow and arrows (plus, depending on skill level, a Mystic Urn, Quartz Flask or Timebomb of the Ancients). Turn right when you get the crossbow to confront an ophidian then enter its chamber and follow the passage up to a Dragon Claw and orbs guarded by undead warriors. Press the switch on the west wall - the first of three needed to reach the green key - then return to the starting area and head through the east doorway to collect another crossbow. Head north past a sabreclaw to a switch and press it to lower a lift with a disciple of D'Sparil on your right, then step past the lift to a chamber with a water pool. The yellow key can be found in an alcove in the east wall - watch out for golems teleporting in behind you as you pick up the key.

Go through the door next to the yellow key alcove to find some Mace Spheres then head west under a gray arch to find a switch that will lower a lift next to it. Step past the lift then turn left to see some gargoyles in front of a staircase that leads up to a room with a Hellstaff, a Bag of Holding and runes. Press the switch in the south-west corner - the second switch you need to press to find the green key - then backtrack to where you found the Mace Spheres and go up the stairs next to the gray arch. At the top of the stairs head north into a brown and gray corridor then go through the open door on your right to find a Silver Shield, Mystic Urn and more Mace Spheres. Press the switch in this chamber, kill the disciples that teleport in then return to the starting area and ride any of the lifts that have lowered up to the central platform. The green key can be found on this platform, guarded by ophidians.

Taking the green key will open an alcove to the west containing disciples, a Phoenix Rod and Flame Orbs; iron liches will also teleport in. Take the items then go through the doors either side of the alcove to reach a room with Greater Runes and Mace Spheres. Go down the stairs in the north-west corner then follow the walkway west to a bridge, cross it then go through the door on your left (watch out for iron liches below that may launch whirlwinds at you). Head south through two archways to an area with two undead warriors then turn right to enter their chamber, which contains Mace Spheres and a switch. Press the switch then head north-west until you reach a hall with a green floor - the blue key is sitting on a step in this room, guarded by a maulotaur on hard skill levels.

Go back to the large bridge and cross it again, then turn left and follow the walkway to a door requiring the blue key (it is not indicated by gizmos). Open the door and press the switches behind it to lower a lift, then ride the lift up and follow the path past some nitrogolems to a Silver Shield and a teleporter that leads to a square arena. D'Sparil and his chaos serpent are waiting at the east side of the arena, in front of the exit teleporter which will take several minutes to lower. A large number of disciples will teleport in during the battle, but if possible ignore them and focus on D'Sparil; his death will kill every other monster in the level. Once the exit teleporter has lowered, step on it to finish the episode.

Other points of interest
A Firemace can spawn in one of twelve locations:
 * 1) Behind the door next to the yellow key, among some Mace Spheres.
 * 2) Next to the switch that lowers the green key, among some Mace Spheres.
 * 3) In an alcove adjoining a room north of the yellow key area, which also contains a Ring of Invincibility on easy skill levels.
 * 4) In a room in the north-east corner of the level, along with Mace Spheres and a Tome of Power.
 * 5) North-east of the blue key area, along with a Silver Shield on easy skill levels.
 * 6) East of the area with the first Ethereal Crossbow, along with Mace Spheres and (on medium and hard skill levels) a Quiver of Ethereal Arrows.
 * 7) In a room north-west of the blue key area; disciples will teleport in as you enter the room.
 * 8) In a room overlooking the iron lich pits, along with Energy Orbs; go through the door west of the bridge then head north to find it.
 * 9) In a room overlooking the iron lich pits, along with Energy Orbs; go through the door south of the bridge then head east to find it.
 * 10) In the room containing the switch that lowers the blue key.
 * 11) In the room past the green key doors.
 * 12) Next to the alcove containing the yellow key.

Secrets
There are no official secrets on this map.

Speedrunning
As this level does not contain official secrets, the NM 100S category is redundant.

Current records
The records for the map at the Doom Speed Demo Archive are:

The (absence of) data was last verified in its entirety on December 12, 2021.

Things
This level contains the following numbers of things per skill level:

Technical information
When using a source port that supports MAPINFO, completing this level will send the player directly to E2M1: System Shutdown with their inventory intact.

Trivia

 * "Profanum Sanctum" can be translated (approximately) from Latin as Unholy Temple.